Meet the chefs and learn their secrets

Restaurants From Within is a first-of-a-kind event allowing the general public to go behind the scenes at some of Jaffa's best restaurants.

Chefs from Restaurants From Within project.
(photo credit:Afik Gabay)

Ever wanted to know where the chef from your favorite restaurant buys his or her top quality ingredients? Or have you ever wanted that chance to go behind the scenes in the kitchen to see how the food is prepared from scratch? Well now you have the chance.

From July 7-9, a first-of-a-kind event in Jaffa and the surrounding area will allow the general public to go behind the scenes at some of the city's best restaurants in order to gain a better understanding of how their favorite dishes end up on the table.

As part of the "Restaurants From Within" project, over 20 restaurants and food outlets will open their doors to avid foodies who will get the chance to follow chefs into the kitchen to see the processes and procedures that they go through.

Chefs will be on hand to talk to the public and show them the areas of restaurants that are usually out of bounds. The chefs will also show participants how to create certain dishes, after which the food will be available to sample.

One of the restaurants taking part in the unique project is Ouzeria. Passionate owners Avivit Priel Avichai and Limor Lami will be taking participants on guided tours of Levinsky Market in order to point out where they buy all their fresh ingredients.

The two talented women with years of experience in the restaurant business opened up Ouzeria about a year ago in Florentin, right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the Levinsky Market. In the time that they have been there they've had the chance to familiarize themselves with the local area and build up unique relationships with some of the more specialized shops in the area.

As part of their tour they will take keen foodies to small intimate delicatessens such as "Yom Tov," a family business that has been serving fresh food since 1947. Other stops along the way will include a chance to sample smoked fish at "Lupo's Place" as well as marvel at the extensive range of baking equipment at "Grovenstein Baker's World." Levinsky is famous for it's spice shops so there will be plenty of opportunities to take in the sights and smells at veteran establishments such as "Pereg's Spice Shop" and "Havshush."

After Avivit and Limor have finished the tours of their neighborhood, they will invite people to an informal food workshop at Ouzeria where Avivit will demonstrate how to she puts together some of the restaurant's most popular dishes.

Participants will sit on the bar at the funky new restaurant while Avivit chops, slices and cooks the ingredients that were bought in the local shops just moments before. Those lucky enough to sit through the fascinating demonstration will of course be able to try the dishes prepared before their eyes.

For those looking to relax after a long day of walking around the market area, one-of-a-kind "pub" Mati Hamekalel (Mati the one who curses) is directly opposite Ouzeria and provides a drinking experience like no other.

Ouzeria is just one of the many restaurants taking part in the dynamic project. Other highlights include a tour of the local fish shops in Jaffa with chef Eyal Levi from Rokah Yam, a full-on behind the scenes tour at Yona as well as a blind tasting at Blackout at the Nalaga'at Center.Participation in specific events must be arranged in advance by purchasing tickets. Prices vary from NIS 50-300 depending on event.

To purchase tickets and for more information on all the events taking place, see www.openrestaurants.co.il or call (03)512-3243